Charles "Charlie" Schulien (1930-1998), son of Chicago close-up magician Matt Schulien and owner of Schulien's, followed in his father's footsteps as both a restaurateur and magician.

Biography

When he and his brother were old enough, their dad taught them magic with the philosophy that the only way to learn was to go out there and do it. Brother Ed eventually got out of the restaurant and magic business.

Charles appeared in a Schlitz beer commercial with his son, Bobby, in 1979.

He attended Loyola Academy and Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. After college he served in the Naval Reserve during the Korean war. After trying his hand at several jobs, including a stint as an auctioneer, he took over the family restaurant in 1975. Charlie carried on the tradition and taught the trades (both magic and restaurant) to his son Bobby Schulien.